Law is a system of rules that a community develops in order to deal with crime, business agreements, and social relationships. It is enforced through a controlling authority and often involves penalties. See also law, philosophy of; natural law; and legal studies.
The law shapes politics, economics, history and society in many ways and also acts as a mediator of relations between people. Its main functions are establishing standards, maintaining order, resolving disputes and protecting liberties and rights.
There are a number of different types of law: criminal law concerns punishment for crimes and the right to fair trial; property law is concerned with ownership of land, buildings, and movable goods (such as cars); contract law concerns legal obligations; and administrative law covers government regulations. There are also laws that govern specific fields such as aviation, bankruptcy, carriage of goods, commercial transactions and constitutional law.
Philosophers have debated the nature and role of law throughout history. Bentham’s utilitarian theories dominated law for most of the 20th century; however, Jean-Jacques Rousseau’s idea of ‘natural law’ has re-entered Western culture in recent years.
In order to become a lawyer in most jurisdictions, one must pass a qualifying exam and have an advanced legal degree such as a Bachelor of Laws, a Master of Laws or a Doctor of Laws. Modern lawyers also achieve a distinct professional identity through specified legal procedures and are regulated by a law society or bar council.